Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-12-20
The Ki,rain.smith Fight.

The fight between Jake Kilrain of Ameri.
ca and Jem Smith Of England, took place as
stated in yepterday's GAZETTE, on Souve.
raigo Island, in the River Seine. about forty
miles from Rouen, France. Kilrain fought
at 1874 pounds, Smith at $50 pounds, heavi
er weight than he has fought at heretofore
Smith was The first 10 enter The ring and
was Immediately followed by Kllrain.
Smiths second chose the corner which
would give his man the benefit of fighting
with his back to the sun. At the start,
which was at twelve minutes past Two, ex-
actly, Smith, crossing over 10 his opponent,
offered 10 lay him 81 600 to 81 900 on him
self Smith appeared in white knee breeches
and green socks, and looked perfect Her
cules. Kirnin wore black tights ard brown
socks, and although in point of muscular
development he appeared unfavoraby with
his opponent, he looked the thorough bust
ness like fighter. Directly limo" was
called the men responded The attitude of
each was totally different in style, Kilrain
carrying his right hand much lower than
his opponent. who seemed eager for the fray.
One bundre and six rounds were fought, and
hard hitting was the order, with the con-
Guiding throw 1T the end of each round, OF
which he American, who is an excellent
wrestler, L, uerally had the best. Kirain
undoGbt,dy showed qualities that even his
hackers never dreamt of, and had rather the
best oi the fight. At the eighteenth round
rains right eye, which was being
rapidly burged up. Az a set.of Kill
rain got home with his left on Smiths
eur, which soon swelled to an abnormal
siz, and had 10 be lanced By his seconds.
Kirain was undoubtedly the better man,
and would certainly have whipped his man
if The fight he'd been allowed TO proceed
few minutes longer. He forced the fighting
from The start and appeared very confident.
His manner gave his hackers great conf-
dence, and from the time he landed his fist
blow it was evident that he in no way fear
ed his man. He sent in some sedge ham.
mer blows and repeatedly sent his opponent
to grass. Smith was unable to knock Xii
rain of his feet in any of his rushes. He
succeeded, however, in gaining fret blood.
Smith was fsvorite at the start, and odds
were freely offered at two and three to one
that he would win. AS the fighting pro
crossed betting changed to seven 10 two
on Klrain, as Smith, who had received
several heavy blows on the body and face
began to vince and showed decided tenden
cy to avoid punishment as much as possible.
He soon began slipping down. sDd some OF
the spectators Kissed him. Smith evidently
had concluded that Kilrain WAS too much
for him and his only hope in avoiding defeat
was to prolong the fight until darkness
should Intervene. Another ten minutes, it
is believed, would have settled the fight
The referee decided however, that it was too
dark to continue the mill and ordered the
seeing that their man had the bast oft ella
mored to have the fight go on, but the referee
was otdurate. AT one time it looked az il s
row would occur, but the crowd was finally
persuaded to abide by the referees decision
The referee then decided that the fight
should be finished to. day, but the principals
and there hackers later decided 10 call the
fight draw
After the battle Smith and Kilrain walked
toge her and freely talked about their corr
Test. discussing the points in their BATTLE
which lasted two hours and half-ihe Ion
gest, hardest battle ever fought by two
heavy men. After the fight Referee Akin.
son said unreservedly that the fighting was
almost all the time in Kirain's favor, and in
Smiths corner.
Jake Kilrain's right name is John Joseph
Killon, and he was born at Greenport, Col.
umbla county, n. Y, on February 0, 1859,
snd consequently is nearly twenty nine
years old. He never in his life be fore fought
knuck.e fight, aud never saw one. All his
previous work has been with gloves.